iPad OS 4.2 'Orientation Lock' to 'Mute Switch' Change Permanent

[darwinian]

With the memory limitation of the iPad as it is, I'm not sure how useful the already limited multitasking is. Honestly it sounds like iOS 4 for iPad isn't particularly compelling. If this ends up being true about the screen rotation lock (a hardware feature I wish frankly was on my iPod touch), then I'll be among those who would for the first time either jailbreak iOS 4 or just stick with what is currently running. Yep, it's that important to me. Mute is just a second of holding down the volume down key away.

I presume the only added feature the toggle switch confers upon users is when they bring their device into a meeting and want to stealthily mute it because they forgot to do so beforehand. Still, not worth it.

 

[bouncer1]

The positive/negative vote on this thread is currently 52/361 or almost 7-1 against this change - - even discounting the resident trolls that's still 2-1 against changing the switch function to mute.

I can't remember the time I last saw such an overwhelming negative response. I you discard the trolls like you said it's bout 5-1, and about 90+% who don't want this, anyway you cut this is an unprecedented amount. And when such majorities exist there are two eventualities:

a. the majority is talking indeed about a real need and the 10% are extremely misguided and don't know what the heck they are talking about.

or

b. The majority don't get it (as a lot of times they don't) and that 10% has the vision and insight to understand what needs to happen.

In this case, I think, it's self evident that it's case a. since there's nothing clever, or visionary, or anything too big to "get" here, it's just a simple decision of interface based on usage, and they users don't want it.

I was right in saying, and expecting the overwhelming response this is going to get, the negative one of course.

I lol to think every average consumer sticking their ipads in to sync one November fine day and then disconnecting them from itunes only to maddeningly find out the hold switch doesn't work anymore and they can't figure out where the hell it it... I tell you this, I wouldn't want to be working at apple support that day...

 

[Mac Eagle]

Orientation Lock

Not sure if someone has already said this (didn't have time to look at all 11+ pages of comments) but while I prefer to have the orientation lock switch stay just that, and not be changed to mute, what I would much rather have the option for is to just lock the screen to either Horizontal or Vertical.

What we really currently have is a single side lock switch and what I want is for it to lock either just to horizontal or just to veritcal and I don't care which side is pointing down (you know, actually do what its name implies). For instance I typically use the device in horizontal orientation but I don't care if the Home button is on the left or the right, I just wish I could always pick up the device in Horizontal and it be in the right orientation without having to worry about it flipping to vertical orientation. Since you would have to rotate the device close to 180° to flip to the "other" horizontal orientation I think this would still satisfy the original intent of the orientation lock.

 

[theRebel]

that point i get. however, improvements need to be made, no sense in keeping something functioning less well if a change can be made. but i understand the annoyance/frustration at having to re-learn how to use something. we all often deal with this situation in making software-only updates as well. it's just a part of an ever-evolving design, but it certainly needs to be taken well into account when making fundamental changes to functions. apple is not making the decision lightly, there has been and continues to be much debate about it in developer circles.

For the people who use the orientation switch on the iPad several times a day, forcing them to change to a multi-gesture will create "something functioning less well."

If Apple wants to make a fundamental change to function then they should do it with the next version of the iPad rather than push it out on current users. Software updates are presented as bug fixes and enhancements. Users do not expect to lose functionality by accepting an update from Apple.

The ideal solution is simple. Give users a preference setting.

 

[cmaier]

Put it on mute before than damn meeting then...for crying out loud...

Look, there's a simple and correct rationale for making the switch a mute switch.

There is NEVER any reason to lock the orientation if the screen is off. Never. Not a single justifiable use case.

There IS a reason to mute the sound with the screen off (since the device can make sounds even when the screen is off). You may choose to blame the victim for "forgetting" to mute the device, but the simple matter is that the number of people who find themselves in situations where they need to quickly mute the sound with the screen off is X. The number of people who find themselves in situations where they need to quickly lock the orientation when the screen is off is 0.

And X>0.

 

[CFreymarc]

This is retarded. I hate the software orientation lock, and I find myself using it extremely frequently. Meanwhile, the mute button is completely useless for someone like me, especially since it's easy to mute by simply holding down the volume button until it's off.

The orientation lock switch hardware switch was a mistake from the beginning. The only think I can think of why this was done was a PR issue with the auto-rotation confusing early and naive review editors of the iPad.

Now that the whole tablet concept has proven itself, and the units shipped with the auto-rotation hardware button in the "off" position, people are used to this.

It is time to have it become a mute button since this what people use in the iPhone. Those that bitch about this have a more to be upset at than a simple hardware feature. Chill.

 

[theRebel]

Somehow I find this logic...

What kind of operation seems more urgent :
- Turning the speaker off, in order not to bother the people around (like student in a class )
- Blocking the rotation, where the additional time spent will only "bother" you.

Anyway if you want to block the screen it's because you intend intend to use the screen whereas you could be listening to music and need to mute it (to answer a phone call or talk to somebody) for a second then turning the screen on seems a waste.

1) If I want to decrease the volume to avoid bothering the people around me then there is already a hardware button for that or I can use the software controls.

2)Obviously you have a very narrow view of how iPads are used.

If I am working with someone using the iPad and I hand the iPad to them to view something then I want the screen orientation to be locked. As we continue working and handing it back and forth, the screen orientation may need to be changed dozens of times. The hardware switch accomplishes the task quite easily. A 5 motion gesture is much more disruptive and prone to error. This would most likely bothers the person that I am working with more than it would bother me.

 

[theRebel]

Look, there's a simple and correct rationale for making the switch a mute switch.

There is NEVER any reason to lock the orientation if the screen is off. Never. Not a single justifiable use case.

There IS a reason to mute the sound with the screen off (since the device can make sounds even when the screen is off). You may choose to blame the victim for "forgetting" to mute the device, but the simple matter is that the number of people who find themselves in situations where they need to quickly mute the sound with the screen off is X. The number of people who find themselves in situations where they need to quickly lock the orientation when the screen is off is 0.

And X>0.

When my iPhone rings and I need to quickly stop the noise, I press the power button because it is quicker and easier than flipping the mute switch.

Also you are disregarding the fact that when the screen is on, the number of people who need to quickly lock the screen orientation far outnumber those who need to quickly mute just the alert noises.

 

[cmaier]

When my iPhone rings and I need to quickly stop the noise, I press the power button because it is quicker and easier than flipping the mute switch.

Also you are disregarding the fact that when the screen is on, the number of people who need to quickly lock the screen orientation far outnumber those who need to quickly mute just the alert noises.

The phone ringing has nothing to do with the iPad - it's not a phone, and it doesn't ring. It does, however, make annoying alert sounds. Or worse (if you pick it up, turn it on, swipe to unlock, and find yourself in some app that resumes loudly - though at least in that case you can use the volume rocker - but not before the noise starts.)

And your second paragraph is mere conjecture. If you are relying on this thread, that proves nothing - it's a self-selecting group. And the urgency with which the screen needs to be locked is not anything like the urgency with which the sound must be muted - with one, even with your fake manufactured scenario, the extra screen orientation locking steps affect only the small number of people in physical contact with the iPad. Loud annoying sounds affect everyone in the room (whether it be a conference room, a classroom, a library, etc.). They can be embarrassing, get you thrown out of a room, or affect your job prospects. The negative repercussions of someone having to double-tap, swipe, tap to screen lock are trivial compared to the repercussions of not being able to mute quickly.

 

[bouncer1]

Look, there's a simple and correct rationale for making the switch a mute switch.

There is NEVER any reason to lock the orientation if the screen is off. Never. Not a single justifiable use case.

There IS a reason to mute the sound with the screen off (since the device can make sounds even when the screen is off). You may choose to blame the victim for "forgetting" to mute the device, but the simple matter is that the number of people who find themselves in situations where they need to quickly mute the sound with the screen off is X. The number of people who find themselves in situations where they need to quickly lock the orientation when the screen is off is 0.

And X>0.

To some it comes naturally to miss the forest for the trees.

 

[RusselP]

Why make things so difficult?!

Don't get me wrong I love Apple products, but sometimes they just make me want to bash my head against a wall. The simplest functionality in some of their products are omitted for no reason.

Now, I'm no programmer, but I'm sure it wouldn't be the hardest thing in the world to include an option to change what the switch does. For instance on my old Blackberry I could assign different functions to at least two of the button on the side of the phone, but I digress.

To each their own.

 

[iPhoneFour]

iOS with TWINKIE

Honestly it sounds like iOS 4 for iPad isn't particularly compelling.

It isn't.

The whole multitasking experience on the iPhone is-tacked on and I've yet to use it in any meaningful way, or have a need for it. The additional gestures thrown on any-old how, amounts to a reach-around and is awkward. Perhaps they can market an update next year "New iOS now with - um - TWINKIE! Just draw a twinkie on the screen and you get ... a twinkie! It's good because it's an iPad - with TWINKIE.".

I'll be skipping any updates on my iPad until Apple get's it's head out of it's usability ass and stops screwing up their products. I already stopped any updates for the iPhone too - but that's more of a function of enjoying MyWi.

 

[darwinian]

Really this is a scenario in which including the choice would actually make everyone happy, save one really important pain in the a$s guy.

 

[bobob]

Look, there's a simple and correct rationale for making the switch a mute switch.

There is NEVER any reason to lock the orientation if the screen is off. Never. Not a single justifiable use case.

There IS a reason to mute the sound with the screen off (since the device can make sounds even when the screen is off). You may choose to blame the victim for "forgetting" to mute the device, but the simple matter is that the number of people who find themselves in situations where they need to quickly mute the sound with the screen off is X. The number of people who find themselves in situations where they need to quickly lock the orientation when the screen is off is 0.

And X>0.

That is the first good pro-mute argument in this thread - - I disagree - - but it's a good argument.

Mute is essential for phones, screen orientation lock is essential for tablets.

 

[rmwebs]

It isn't.

The whole multitasking experience on the iPhone is-tacked on and I've yet to use it in any meaningful way, or have a need for it. The additional gestures thrown on any-old how, amounts to a reach-around and is awkward. Perhaps they can market an update next year "New iOS now with - um - TWINKIE! Just draw a twinkie on the screen and you get ... a twinkie! It's good because it's an iPad - with TWINKIE.".

I'll be skipping any updates on my iPad until Apple get's it's head out of it's usability ass and stops screwing up their products. I already stopped any updates for the iPhone too - but that's more of a function of enjoying MyWi.

Completely agree. I also wont be updating. Not just because of the mute/lock button (although this is pissing me off to no end!) but because of how poor iOS4 was...it's already killed my iPod Touch which I purchased 2 months ago, I'm not going to let it kill my iPad too!

 

[cmaier]

That is the first good pro-mute argument in this thread - - I disagree - - but it's a good argument.

Mute is essential for phones, screen orientation lock is essential for tablets.

You still have screen lock. It's just x% harder to get to, but in doing so it makes mute x+y% easier to get to (the +y comes from the fact that your screen will be already on when you lock orientation).

Since the peak deleterious consequences of slow mute exceed the peak deleterious consequences of slow screen orientation lock, it's a net win.

(Of course, I wouldn't mind an option to change the meaning of the switch. My point is only that the new behavior is rational and beneficial.)

 

[derek4484]

This is what I hate about Steve Jobs...make it user selectable "Nope"

Its HIS way or the highway, even on YOUR hardware. Whats wrong with making that a user selectable option? Aren't user choices good?

 

[mdelvecchio]

This is retarded. I hate the software orientation lock, and I find myself using it extremely frequently. Meanwhile, the mute button is completely useless for someone like me, especially since it's easy to mute by simply holding down the volume button until it's off.

agreed. for the same exact reason. this is a reader for me, not an intrusive cell phone!

 

[mdelvecchio]

For the record, a mute switch is way better. I hate that emails make a tone when they come in in the middle of the night.

...well then you could just mute it using the *existing* mute button (hold volume-down).

but as a web reader i often twist & turn on the sofa, having a lock button within fast easy reach is way less intrusive than having to go into the software/multitask screen.

 

[mdelvecchio]

It will be nearly as easy to use the software orientation lock. It takes the same two seconds.

two seconds is too long. it takes a fraction of a second right now -- my hand is already at the corner. flick.

 

[cmaier]

...well then you could just mute it using the *existing* mute button (hold volume-down).

No you can't. Not without opening the case cover (if you use one), turning it on, and sliding to unlock, first. (I may be wrong about the sliding to unlock bit - that's how I remember it, but I've been running 4.2 so I can't remember how it worked).

 

[mdelvecchio]

Yay mute button! Probably the best feature in the 4.2 update. I'll finally be able to use sound on my iPad.

whats stopping you now? there already is a mute button.

 

[mdelvecchio]

No you can't. Not without opening the case cover (if you use one), turning it on, and sliding to unlock, first. (I may be wrong about the sliding to unlock bit - that's how I remember it, but I've been running 4.2 so I can't remember how it worked).

cases arent a part of this conversation. as to the rest -- your scenario is based on an event, turning it off for some reason (for ex at nite). fine but thats *one* event, so giving you an extra step or two (going into software) is less painful than asking users to do that for a dozen or more events a day -- which is how often one can typically desire to lock and then unlock-and-rotate the screen, as when browsing various website layouts during a reading session.

 

[Ciclismo]

No you can't. Not without opening the case cover (if you use one), turning it on, and sliding to unlock, first. (I may be wrong about the sliding to unlock bit - that's how I remember it, but I've been running 4.2 so I can't remember how it worked).

...
I am not sure why people think hitting the volume button down 4 times is easier than having essentially 4 gestures/touches to change orientation.

Somehow I find this logic...

What kind of operation seems more urgent :
- Turning the speaker off, in order not to bother the people around (like student in a class )
- Blocking the rotation, where the additional time spent will only "bother" you.

Anyway if you want to block the screen it's because you intend intend to use the screen whereas you could be listening to music and need to mute it (to answer a phone call or talk to somebody) for a second then turning the screen on seems a waste.

I'm guessing that none of you have nor use an iPad because if you did, then you would know that holding the "-" volume rocker down for 1.5 seconds or so engages mute and that it does this irrespective of whether the screen is unlocked or not. This means that you can just reach into your bag and hold down the volume rocker blindly. At least it does for me.

 

[roratus]

Who cares?!